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PHOTOHLE ENVELOPES 
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A TESTIMONIAL 

OF 

PUBLIC SERVICES, 



THE 



WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY 



TO 



Major R. C. GILCHRIST. 



3rd November, 1891, 




charleston. s. c. 
Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co. 

3 & 5 Broad and 117 East Bay Sts. 

1892. 




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A TESTIMONIAL 



OF 



VALUABLE SERVICES, 



H7HE last official act of Major Robt. C. Gilchrist, 
was at the unveiling of the War Monument to 
the dead of the three companies of the war 1860-65. 
At a subsequent meeting a committee was appointed 
to make proper acknowledgment for his long con- 
tinued and painstaking services in the Washington 
Light Infantry, and to assure him of their esteem 
and regard, with their sincere wishes for his future 
health and happiness. 

At the regular meeting of the Battalion held at 
the Armory on November 3rd ; 1891, instant, the 
committee made the following 



REPORT : 

The retirement of Major Gilchrist from the com- 
mand of the battalion closes an active and influen- 
tial service of eighteen years, and covers within a 
few months the entire life of the Washington Light 
Infantry since its post bellum revival as a military 
organization. The command cannot receive such 



a resignation without sincere regret, nor permit the 
occasion to pass without placing on record its high 
appreciation of such continuous, unselfish and de- 
voted labors. 

Eighteen years ago South Carolina was the "pros- 
trate State;" it will be difficult to explain to the 
present membership the disabilities of that unfortu- 
nate period in the history of our State. No military 
organizations were permited ; no military commis- 
sions for whites could be had ; a "robber Governor" 
was commander-in-chief. Under these humiliating 
conditions the young men of the city formed them- 
selves into "rifle clubs" (1869-70) ostensibly for 
social intercourse and pleasure, but in reality for 
protection and preparation for what was then be- 
lieved to be an uncertain future. In such depressing 
times was the new military career of the Washington 
Light Infantry begun. "Energy is easy of practice, 
when activity is the habit of the times ; but when 
nobody moves and nothing invites, and all is dreary 
and despondent, and there is scarcely a dying spark 
of hope amidst its cherished embers, energy then is 
a very different thing. It rises God-like above the 
ordinary traits of humanity, and when it conquers, 
it conquers all things." 

Major Gilchrist, after an honorable service in the 
Confederate army, was beyond the military age, yet 



accepted a call from the Washington Light Infantry 
Rifle Club in October, 1873, as second lieutenant 
and resumed his active connection with the com- 
pany of his early manhood. 

There are many senior members who will quickly 
recall the change in the Rifle Club from a non- 
military to a military condition ; how the first copies 
of Upton's Tactics were brought from New York for 
the instruction of the Washington Light Infantry, 
how he prepared sixty members (in thirty drills of 
one hour each) for the Bunker Hill parade in Boston, 
17th June, 1S75, and how the command was cheered 
along miles of march for its soldierly appearance 
and accurate drill. 

Elected first lieutenant in May, 1874, he succeeded 
to the command in March, 1876, and after an effi- 
cient service as captain retired with the well-done 
of all well-wishers of the corps. It was during his 
command of the Rifle Club that the great political 
revolution took place in South Carolina and the 
great election riot of November, 1876, occurred in 
Charleston. It is a matter of proper pride to this 
corps to record the fact that the first rifle club 
armed and equipped that was at the point of danger, 
in season for active duty, was Major Gilchrist's com- 
mand, with eighty rifles, arriving on the ground in 
advance of the companies of United States troops 



then on duty at this port. He retired from the 
command in 1877. 

In September, 188S, Major Gilchrist was recalled 
to the command of the company, and under his 
influence the battalion was formed, which gives an 
advantageous position to the Washington Light In- 
fantry in our city soldiery. 

The post-bellum history of the W. L. I, is illus- 
trated by many noted events, with all of which 
Major Gilchrist is prominently identified. Who of 
the thousands who visited the Easter Fair of April, 
1875, will ever forget that brilliant scene, or the 
wonderful pecuniary success that attended it, in the 
founding of a substantial charity fund for the widows 
and orphans of the dead of the three war companies ? 
Its novel and beautiful design, its brilliant decora- 
tions, can truthfully be credited to Major Gilchrist. 

To his active efforts is due the presence of the 
company at the Centennial in Philadelphia, 4th 
July, 1876; at the Centennial of Washington's in- 
auguration in New York, 30th April, 1889; at the 
unveiling of the Lee monument in Richmond, 29th 
May, 1890. He was also active in promoting the 
ojfrher public-spirited visits to distant cities during 
recent years when not in active command. His 
last prominent service was the laying of the corner- 
stone of the new w r ar monument in Washington 



square on 23d February, L891, and the unveiling of 
the completed shaft on 21st July last. 

To the W. L. I. Rifle Club and Battalion the 
widows and orphans of the men of the war and the 
survivors are largely indebted for the substantial 
aid annually distributed siuce 1875, and for the 
granite and bronze memorial recently completed in 
Washington square. Though silent, it will be per- 
petually eloquent, repeating to succeeding genera- 
tions the plaintiff story of the "Washington Light 
Infantry" in the civil war. In these matters Major 
Gilchrist has been prominently identified, as in all 
the large work of the corps for eighteen years. Who 
is there that excels him in continuous labors, in 
patient endeavors, in unfailing hopes for the good 
of the command ? A.s there has been no limit to his 
efforts, so there should be in his retirement but one 
voice, the voice of praise and thanks for his eminent 
services. Be it therefore 



Resolved, That in parting officially from Major 
Gilchrist the Washington Light Infantry acknowl- 
edge their large indebtedness to him for his devoted 
and acceptable services, and would assure him of 
their high regard and esteem. 



Resolved, That these proceedings suitably prepared 
be duly signed and forwarded to our late com- 
mander. 



Committee. 



Resolved, further, That a handsome jewel of mili- 
tary design be procured and presented to him as a 
constant reminder of long years of pleasant inter- 
course at an early day. 

Signed, 

WM. A. COURTENAY, 

Ex-Captain. 
GEO. B. EDWARDS, 

Ex-Lieut. 
S. J. JENKINS, 

Lieut. 
H. M. TOVEY, 

Color Sergeant. 
F. H. HONOUR, 

Treasurer. 



The Report of the Committee was voted unani- 
mously, and it was further ordered that it be printed 
in convenient form and an official copy be duly 
signed and presented to him. 

A. W. MARSHALL, Major. 

H. C GILL. Secretary. 



THE JEWEL 

is of gold, artistic in design and workmanship, 
manufactured in this city by Messrs. Stephen 
Thomas, Jr. and Brother. It is suspended from a 
double spear-head, over which a ribbon is draped, 
upon which is engraved Major Gilchrist's name ; 
pendant from a gold chain, an eagle, with out- 
stretched wings, holds in his talons a six-pointed 
cross, displaying a six-pointed star for central 
shield ; this is handsomely engraved, with a dia- 
mond for its centre ; as a symbolic Jewel it is most 
beautiful and attractive; on the reverse is the simple 
inscription : "From the W. L. I., 22d February, 
1892." 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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